Pompeo: US, Turkey should avoid any clashes in northern Syria

11:55 • 25.05.18

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on May 24 said he hopes that US and Turkish forces will avoid any risk from close encounters in northern Syria, emphasizing the importance on solving bilateral issues.

One of the main issues would be northern Syria, where most U.S. troops in the country are deployed, said Pompeo speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Chavushoghlu on June 4, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

This January, Turkey launched “Operation Olive Branch” in Afrin, northern Syria to clear terrorist groups from the area. After liberating the city of Afrin, Ankara said it might also extend its operation further east to Manbij, unless the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) leave the strategically located city.

However, US military support for the YPG in Manbij has strained ties between Ankara and Washington, and has led to fears of military clashes between the two NATO allies, since there are roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in the city.

The YPG is considered as the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) by Turkey.

Pompeo also stated that a roadmap in line with the context of negotiations held during the tenure of Rex Tillerson, his predecessor, has been drawn.